Americans are grieving the loss of Charlie Kirk, a man who exemplified love of God, family, and country— in that order. He embodied what truly makes America great: an ordinary individual who, through hard work, grit, integrity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to truth, engaged and welcomed those who disagreed with him in civil debate. He was shot for that, which is profoundly un-American.
I am proud to be a professor at IWP, where we are grounded in a commitment to honest inquiry, especially in a culture that often demonizes facts and vilifies those who seek truth. Colleges and universities should be places where we seek wisdom, nurture critical thinking, and foster intellectual humility. Ideas are not violence. We must welcome robust debate, even when it challenges our assumptions. Freedom of thought and speech should be encouraged and protected, not feared, by our institutions of higher learning.
Charlie Kirk’s short life was a testament to courage and open dialogue. May we learn from his example, and may we find within ourselves the same courage to stand up for freedom.